An Introduction to Theoretical Geomorphology

An Introduction to Theoretical Geomorphology
Author :
Publisher : Springer
Total Pages : 0
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9401094438
ISBN-13 : 9789401094436
Rating : 4/5 (436 Downloads)

Book Synopsis An Introduction to Theoretical Geomorphology by : C. Thorn

Download or read book An Introduction to Theoretical Geomorphology written by C. Thorn and published by Springer. This book was released on 2012-02-22 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book stems from the belief that undergraduate, and many graduate, students in geomorphology are taught far too little about the theoretical foundation of the discipline. This is a tragic oversight because all disci plines exist solely by virtue of a body of theory; furthermore, all substan tive research must, of necessity, be directed at improving this body of theory. While the centrality of theory is a characteristic of all science, it appears that it is fieldwork that has achieved sacrosanct status in geo morphology. The supreme standing of fieldwork would seem at first sight to be supported by such comments as that cited by Ager (1984, p. 42): "My old professor - the great H. H. Read - once said, 'The best geologist is, other things being equal, he who has seen the most rocks'. " The key issue in Read's comment is obviously "other things being equal"; what are these other things? For they will be just as applicable to geomorphology as to geology at large. One is certainly personal ability, but another critical com ponent is the individual's knowledge of relevant theory. Pursuit of theo retical knowledge is not generally a favored activity in geomorphology, a situation epitomized by Chorley's (1978, p. 1) one-liner: "Whenever anyone mentions theory to a geomorphologist, he instinctively reaches for his soil auger.


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